a lot more information here https://code.djangoproject.com/wiki/SplitSettings

I typically use this set up:

- settings.py contains global settings that aren't effected by deployment level.

- at the bottom of that file you have

      try:
          from settings_local import *
      except:
          pass

- in settings_local.py you have your deployment level dependent settings

- then just git ignore settings_local.py